Korea Observer

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Hallyu actor Jang Dong-gun was declared as Style Icon of the Year at the 2012 Style Icon Awards (SIA) held on Oct. 25 in Seoul, South Korea. The awards ceremony honored Korea's "Most Stylish Icons that Brightened 2012." (Clockwise from left) Style Icon of the Year awardee Jang Dong-gun and Style Icon winners miss A's Suzy and Seo In Guk and Jung Eunji (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and www.enewsworld.mnet.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - Two of Korea's biggest K-pop agencies have expanded their empires into managing actors and TV hosts, and TV production, a move that will keep their stronghold in the business. SM Entertainment and JYP Entertainment, which handle K-pop's hottest singers including Girls Generation, Wonder Girls, Super Junior and 2AM, have ventured out of their core business. Jang Dong-gun and Kang Ho Dong (Photos by www.newsen.com)